Heat hoping good health leads to consistency

After a stretch of injuries, the Heat are the healthiest they have been since the beginning of the season. Fourteen of the 15 players on the roster practiced Monday in preparation for Tuesday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The only player to sit was backup guard Terrel Harris, who is still recovering from the flu.

"Knock on wood, hopefully we keep it going," Spoelstra said. "It does feel good when you have opportunity to have all your guys out there practicing."

The Heat can look across the court to realize the difficulty of missing key players due to injury. The Timberwolves will be without guard Ricky Rubio, who will rest the knee that required offseason surgery. Rubio played Monday against the Orlando Magic, but is not yet ready to endure back-to-back games. Minnesota is also without guard Malcolm Lee and forward Chase Budinger.

"Looking around the league, you see a lot of guys who are struggling to get back out there," Heat center Chris Bosh said. "Just to have that luxury of having everybody building that team chemistry you're going to need is huge … Some teams out there are missing their most important guys. We don't take it for granted."

The Heat last dealt with the injury bug when Shane Battier missed three straight games with a sprained knee. Forward Udonis Haslem also was held out for a game because of the flu.

Now, the Heat hope they can build consistency with a healthy roster.

"That's where we want to be as a team," forward LeBron James said. "You want to try to wish for the best, wish for good health. Right now, we have everyone for the most part in practice."

Shot selection benefits Wade

Wade credited better shot selection for his improved shooting percentage. He is shooting 68 percent from the field the last four games.

Wade said he has made an effort to take less 3-pointers.

"I'm just taking my shots," Wade said. "It's different every game on where my shots are coming. I try to take high percentage shots. If I have open threes, I'll shoot it."

Allen takes shot in eye

Guard Ray Allen wore protective black sunglasses during practice after being hit in the eye. Spoelstra said the injury, which occurred in a non-contact drill, will not keep Allen out of Tuesday's game.

"He brought out the Dwyane Wade shades for the rest of the practice," Spoelstra said.

Teammates likened the shades to what Wade wears when he deals with migraines. Wade said Allen looked like "Darth Vader" during practice.

Keeping Love off the boards

With Rubio out, the biggest concern against the Timberwolves is containing forward Kevin Love. After battling the flu last week, Love is expected in the lineup against the Heat.

Love was averaging 19.4 points and 13.7 rebounds before Monday's game against the Orlando Magic.

"He's one of the best rebounders in the league," Bosh said. "As far as second chance points are concerned, we have to keep him off the boards. … He can really get them off to a good start."

James, who teamed with Love in the Olympics, said he is one of the league's smartest players.

"He uses his abilities to the most," James said. "He's one guy that gets everything out of what he has. He's not going to have the greatest highlights, he's not going to jump over anyone … He's very smart, that's why he's successful."

Heat sign deal with LI-NING

The Heat announced Monday their partnership with Li Ning, China's leading sportswear company.

The deal was made to support Wade, who switched from Nike in the offseason. Li Ning products will be sold at AmericanAirlines Arena beginning in 2013.